Automatic deluge valve for dry pipe sprinkler system



Dec.- 20, 1966 W. K. HODGMAN, JR

AUTOMATIC DELUGE VALVE FOR DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed May 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Shet 1 HG. I

INVENTOR. WILLIS' K. HODGMAN, JR.

#M ATTORNEYS I 1366- 9 w. K. HODGMAN, JR 3,

' Filed May 22, 1964 AUTOMATIC DELUGE VALVE FOR DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

WILLIS K. HQDGMAN,JR

I BY

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,292,709 AUTOMATIC DELUGE VALVE FOR DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Willis K. Hodgman, Jr., Taunton, Mass., assignor to Hodgman Manufacturing Company, Inc., Taunton, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed May 22, 1964, Ser. No. 369,425 3 Claims. (Cl. 169-21) This invention relates generally to automatic sprinkler systems and more particularly to a so-called deluge system including a novel valve used to control the flow of water in the system.

In many installations it is desirable to provide an automatic sprinkler system including a network of open sprinkler heads or spray nozzles rather than the more conventional closed sprinkler head which is only opened upon the attaining of the requisite temperature in the sprinkler head zone due to fire conditions. In extremely hazardous situations, for example, it may be necessary to completely inundate the area to be protected in the shortest possible amount of time in order to prevent disastrous damage. Such sprinkler systems having open sprinkler heads are frequently known as deluge systems and have found great acceptance where major hazards are involved. Additionally, spray nozzle sprinkler heads may be preferred in certain installations as part of a network of open heads which are actuated simultaneously upon the operation of the system.

In an automatic sprinkler system using the deluge or spray nozzle technique the open sprinkler heads are positioned about the area to be protected. It will be noted that greater flexibility of positioning is available since such sprinkler heads do not mount individual heat responsive elements. The open heads are connected into a main supply piping which is capable of delivering a large quantity of fire extinguishing fluid. The control of the system is eflfected through a control valve positioned in the main supply piping, commonly 'knOWn as a deluge valve. The function of this deluge valve is to quickly and surely open the main supply piping upon the receipt of an operating signal and permit the flow of fire extinguishing fluid, usually water, to the network of open sprinkler heads. Since a maximum flow of water is desired, the control valve should present a minimum of friction loss in the supply piping. The control valve must also be extremely quick acting and must contain elements responsive to the operating signal. The control valve should also contain provisions for continuous operation following its actuation until the supply of water is shut off by other independent means in order to prevent premature termination of operation.

Various control devices and systems have been produced according to the teachings of the prior art for this general purpose. An example of a prior art control valve is shown in the patent to Tyden No. 2,148,383. The Tyden valve is a satisfactory valve in many respects but it suffers from certain disadvantages. For example, the supply of water is forced to make a 90 turn through the valve body thus producing a substantial friction loss in the supply system. The valve element employed is essentially free-floating and can reseat itself upon fluctuations in the supply pressure. Additionally, the Tyden valve may only be installed in one position, receiving the supply of water from a vertical supply pipe and passing it initially horizontally to the sprinkler system.

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide an automatic deluge sprinkler system including a control valve which presents a minimum friction loss in the system, is quick acting, will not reseat itself and may be installed in either a horizontal or a vertical position.

ice

In the practice of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof an automatic deluge sprinkler system is provided including a main control valve having a straightthrough water supply passage normally closed by a water valve. A pressure chamber is constructed adjacent the straight-through water passage and normally sealed from the water passage by a pressure chamber valve. The pressure chamber valve and water valve are connected for simultaneous opening and are normally maintained in closed condition through the production of a seating pressure in the pressure chamber working against the pressure chamber valve. The seating pressure is obtained by bypassing water from the main supply piping upstream of the control valve to the pressure chamber. The pressure chamber valve has a greater elfective area than the water valve and consequently similar pressures in the supply pipe tending to open the water valve and in the pressure chamber tending to close the pressure chamber valve will insure seating of both valves. The pressure chamber is, however, supplied from the main supply piping through a restricted orifice and is vented through an unrestricted pilot line which carries at least one heat responsive device which is actuated upon fire conditions to open the pilot line and thereby vent the pressure chamber. Since the pressure chamber is supplied from the main supply line through a restricted orifice, the chamber is vented through the unrestricted pilot line faster than it may be refilled. 'This causes an immediate drop in pressure in the chamber allowing the pressure chamber valve member to be unseated by the pressure in the main supply piping working against the water valve which at once throws the valve wide open. The valve system is then additionally latched mechanically to maintain it in open, operating condition.

It is a feature of this invention that a simplified valve pivoting structure is employed in the control valve which employs a hinge pin offset from the pressure chamber valve seat and maintained in a single bushing aflixed to the valve body.

It is another feature of this invention that the control valve employed may be operated by either a water filled or air filled pilot line through the use of a secondary tripping valve without conversion of the main control valve.

It is yet another feature of this invention that the main control valve may be located in either a horizontal or a vertical position depending upon the installation requirements.

These and other objects and features of the invention will appear as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of a main cont-r01 valve constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section of a secondary tripping valve constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagrammatic showing of the system of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, simplified, diagrammatic view of a modification of the system of FIG. 3 to incorporate the secondary valve of FIG. 2.

Referring first to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a preferred deluge system having a main control valve is shown. The system includes a main control valve 10 connected to a supply of fire extinguishing fluid through supply piping 12. The valve 10 is connected through outlet piping 14 to a network of open sprinkler heads 16. The valve 10 is actuated through a pilot line 18 connected thereto which mounts at least one heat actuated device 20, as, for example, a conventional sprinkler head. Upon actuation of the sprinkler head 20, the valve 10 is constructed to immediately open and permit the water in supply piping 3 12 to flow to the open nozzles 16 through the outlet piping 14.

The main control valve is shown in section in FIG. 1. The valve includes a generally tubular body 22 having an inlet orifice 24 at one end thereof for connection to the supply piping 12 (not shown). An interior water passage 26 is formed within the body 22 and includes an outelt orifice 28 in alignment with the inlet orifice 24. Interposed between the inlet orifice 24 and outlet orifice 28 is a water valve element or clapper indicated generally at 30. The valve body 22 is initially formed with a slightly restricted throat portion 32 into which is fitted a bronze water seat ring 34 defining a valve seat generally normal to the common centerline of the orifices 24 and 28. A bronze valve element or clapper 36 is normally positioned seated on valve seat 34 to close the central water passage 26. The water clapper 36 is fitted with a central stem 38 by means of a ball joint construction indicated generally at 40 whereby proper seating of the clapper 36 is insured. The stem 38 is received in a bore provided at one end of an arcuate arm 42 and is retained therein by means of a washer 44 and bolt 46 screw-thread-ably received in the upper end of the stem 38.

An orifice 48 is additionally formed through a side wall of the body 22 downstream of the water clapper and seat above described. The orifice 48 is fitted with a bronze pressure chamber seat ring 50 which defines a valve seat at the exterior of the body 22. The diameter of the seat 50 is initially selected to be substantially larger than the diameter of the water valve seat 34 positioned in the water passage 26. In a preferred embodiment for a 3-inch valve, the diameters of the seat ringsare selected to provide an area differential of approximately 2.5 to 1. The pressure chamber seat 50 is normally either tinned or chrome plated. It is disposed in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the water valve seat 34.

The arcuate valve arm 42, above referred to, extends through the orifice 48 and valve seat ring 50 and mounts a second valve element or pressure chamber clapper 52 which is of bronze construction and may be formed integrally with the arm 42. The clapper 52 is positioned outside of the body 22 and carries a rubber diaphragm 54 which extends radially thereabout for seating on the pressure chamber seat 50. The diaphragm 54 is retained on the pressure chamber clapper 52 by means of a retaining ring 56 secured to the clapper 52 as by screws 58.

Integrally joined to the exterior side of the pressure chamber clapper 52 is a yoke member 60 comprising a pair of arms diverging downwardly from the clapper 52. The yoke 60 in the preferred embodiment is integrally formed with the clapper 52 and arcuate arm 42. Each leg of the yoke 60 is provided at its lowermost end portion with an aperture 62, the two apertures 62 being coaxial. The body 22 is provided at the exterior thereof below the orifice 48 with an outstanding portion or lug 64 in which is mounted a brass bushing 66. The brass bushing 66 receives a brass hinge pin 68. The hinge pin also pivotally mounts the yoke 60 by passing through the apertures 62 therein. In this fashion pivoting structure is provided for the double valve clapper. It will be noted that the hinge pin 68 is positioned substantially in the plane of the pressure chamber valve seat defined by the seat ring 50 and is spaced from and below the seat ring 50 to facilitate pivoting of the valve structure.

The yoke 60 is formed with an outstanding bifurcated portion 70 at the upper end thereof. The portion 70 mounts a double acting latch member 72 by means of a pivot pin 74 positioned through the portion 70 and the latch member 72. A first end of the latch member 72 is provided wtih a latching portion 76 for engagement with one of a plurality of ribs 78 positioned on the interior of the pressure chamber cover hereinafter described. The lower end of the latch 72 is provided with a hook element 80 which alternatively engages a cooperating hook portion 82 on the cover hereinafter described.

The pressure chamber 83 for the control valve is completed by the provision of a generally hemispherical cover portion 84 which is provided about its open periphery with an outwardly extending flange 86. The flange 86 mates with a cooperating flange 88 formed on the body 22, the cover 84 being securely held in place by a plurality of bolts 90. A suitable gasket 92 is normally interposed between the opposed flanges 86 and 88.

It should be noted that the cover portion 84 encloses a somewhat greater portion of the exterior of the valve body 22 than is represented by the orifice 48 through the body 22 and the lug 64 formed thereon. The cover 84 is thusly constructed in order to permit a novel arrangement for fluid communication with the interior thereof when the cover is fitted to the valve body 22. As indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 3, when the valve is in seated condition, fluid communication with the pressure chamber defined by the cover 84 and the valve body 22 is made i through a pair of passages indicated generally at 94 and 96 positioned at upper opposed side portions of the pressure chamber. These connections are provided in a novel t fashion by the construction, for example, of a passage,

through the valve body 22 from an exterior orifice indicated in dotted lines at 98 in FIG. 1 to an orifice 100 adjacent the seat ring 50 within the flange 88 and thereby in communication with the pressure chamber. noted that the passage is entirely constructed in the valve body 22 and yet provides a means whereby fluid communication between an external point and the pressure chamber may be effected when the cover 84 is in place. This construction is especially satisfactory in that the cover 84 may be removed for servicing and resetting of the control valve without the necessity of removing any pipe connections to the valve unit since these are all made by direct attachment to the valve body 22.

The operation of the system and in particular of the main control valve 10 may be more easily understood by reference to the diagrammatic showing in FIG. 3. It should be noted that FIG. 3 illustrates a minimum of pipe connections and only the basic elements required to place the system in operative condition. In practice additional elements such as strainers, alarm circuits, and the like are employed to insure proper operation of the system. In

addition to the elements above described, FIG. 3 additionally includes a main manual control valve 102 interposed between the main control valve 10 and the supply piping 12. An additional manual valve 104 is connected to the supply piping 12 upstream of the main manual control valve 102 and is in communication with the interior of the pressure chamber of the main control valve 10 through the passage 94 in the body 22 thereof. In the diagram of FIG. 3, manual valve 104 is shown connected in the pilot line 18 by a T indicated generally at 106. Interposed between the T connection 106 and the valve 104 is a re-.

stricted orifice indicated diagrammatically at 108 whereby flow of water toward the pressure chamber is substantially restricted.

The setting-up of the main control valve 10 is accomplished as follows:

The operative elements of the valve 10 are positioned as shown in FIG. 1 and the cover 84 is securely bolted in place. At this point the control valve 10 is in dry condition since the main manual valve 102 and the setting-up valve 104 are both in closed condition. Upon the opening of setting-up valve 104 a flow of water is permitted from the supply piping 12 through valve 104 and restricted orifice 108 to T 106. This water fills the pilot line 18 and ultimately fills the pressure chamber through passage 94. In order to bleed any air entrained in the pressure chamber an additional manual valve 110 is connected to passage 96 through the body 22 and communicates with the water passage 26 within the valve body 22 downstream of the control valve 10. By opening valve It will be t mately vented to atmosphere through the nozzles 16. An additional check on the system is provided since water may be admitted to the pressure chamber until it passes outwardly through passage 96 and valve 110 into the system. This water will fall back within the water passage 26 and may be noted at a drain 112 (shown in FIG. 1) provided through the body 22 for the purpose. In practice the drain 112 is provided with a conventional ball check valve (not shown) which closes drain 112 upon operation of the main control valve to prevent a loss of the fire extinguishing water.

When the pressure chamber has been entirely filled with water as above described the setting up valve 104 may be closed and the main manual valve 102 opened thereby admitting water to the upstream side of the water valve 30 (shown in FIG. 1). Since the pressure in the supply piping 12 is also communicated to the pressure chamber and there applies a seating force on the pressure chamber valve 52, the control valve is maintained in closed condition as a result of the differential in valve areas discussed above.

In order to insure maintenance of this pressure force differential until the occurrence of an operating signal despite possible fluctuations in pressure in the supply piping 12, a connection is made between the supply piping downstream of the now open main, manual valve 102 and the pressure chamber at a point downstream of the setting-up valve 104 (now closed) and upstream of the restricted orifice 108. In this connection a check valve 114 is installed which permits a flow of water only from the main supply piping through the on'fice 108 and prohibits a flow in the opposite direction. In this fashion it will be noted that increases in pressure in the supply piping 12 which might tend to destroy the pressure force differential in the control valve are eliminated since such increases in pressure are transmitted through check 114 to the pressure chamber thereby again establishing an equilibrium of fluid pressure and consequently the desired differential between the pressure force tending to close the pressure valve 52 and that tending to open the water valve 30.

The deluge system is now in condition for instant operation, which may occur as follows:

Upon the occurrence of fire conditions in the area to be protected, the heat actuated device 20 is actuated to vent the water filled pilot line 18. The pressure chamber is thus vented through the pilot line and the water pressure therein immediately drops. Simultaneously, check valve 114 opens to permit water to flow from the supply piping 12 to re-establish the equality of pressures between the pressure chamber and the supply piping 12. Due to the interposition of restricted orifice 108, however, this equilibrium cannot be established since the pressure is relieved through pilot line 18 more quickly than it can be supplied through orifice 108. The differential between the pressure tending to open water valve 30 and that tending to maintain pressure valve 52 in closed condition is thus quickly destroyed whereupon the force of the water in the supply piping 12 throws open water valve 30 and pressure valve 52 permitting the flow of fire extinguishing water to outlet piping 14 and open sprinklers 16.

As noted above, latch 72 maintains the valve structure in open condition either by the engagement of end portion 76 thereof with one of the ribs 78 formed on the interior of the cover 84 or by engagement of book portion '80 thereof with the depending hook element 82 formed on the interior of the cover 84. A supply of fire extinguishing water will thus be provided through the control valve until the main, manual control 102 is closed.'

Thereafter the entire system is drained and the control valve 10 may be set up for future operation in the fashion above described.

It should also be noted that a manual emergency trip valve is provided by means of the bleed valve 110 in that openingof valve 110 will vent the pressure chamber as effectively as operation of the heat actuated device 20. Thus, for purposes of test or as a manual operating valve in case of emergency, the main control valve 10 may be tripped through the opening of bleed valve 110.

Under certain conditions, as for example where freezing may be encountered, it is frequently desirable to provide a pilot line for the deluge system which is filled with air under pressure rather than with water. Where it is desired to utilize the control valve and system of the present invention in combination with an air filled pilot line it will be noted that this may be easily accomplished by the inclusion of a secondary differential air/water valve indicated generally at 116 in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary portion of the diagrammatic view of FIG. 3 which shows the inclusion of the secondary control valve 116, wherein it will be noted that the water filled pilot line 18 is connected to the secondary control valve 116 to be described hereafter. A supply of air under regulated pressure is also communicated to the valve 116 through air supply piping 118 connected to an air filled pilot line 120 carrying a heat actuated device 122, pilot line 120 being directly fitted t0 the valve 116. As will be hereinafter described, upon operation of the heat actuated device 122 the valve 116 opens to vent the water filled pilot line 18 thereby venting the pressure chamber of the main control valve 10 to trip the valve 10 and fill the system with fire extinguishing water.

The secondary control valve 116 is shown in detail in FIG. -2. The secondary valve 116 includes an-open topped bottom body portion 124 fitted witha mating top or cover portion 126. Opposed peripheral flanges 128 and 130 are provided on the valve body 124 and cover 126 respectively whereby the two portions may be securely clamped together as by bolts 132. A suitable gasket 134 is interposed between the portions 124 and 126 to form an airtight seal.

An enclosed interior chamber 136 is thus formed within the valve 116. A passage 138 is formed through the bottom of the body 124 communicating with the chamber 136. The passage 138 is provided for connection to the pilot line 18 proceeding from the main control valve 10 (shown in FIG. 4). Passage 138 terminates within the chamber 136 in an annular bronze Water seat ring 140 defining at its upper margin a water valve seat. It will be noted that the water seat ring 140 is positioned somewhat above the lowermost wall of the chamber 136.

The passage 138 is normally closed to the chamber 136 by the operation of a valve element or clapper 142 mounted for movement toward and away from the water seat ring 140. The clapper 142 comprises a central body section having an upstanding central tubular neck 144. The tubular neck 144 is positioned for sliding engagement with a multi-edged guide element 146 screw-threadably received in a tapped bore 148 positioned in the cover 126 in vertical alignment with the centerline of the passage 138 and water seat ring 140. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the guide 146 is shown as hexagonal in cross-section to provide six bearing edges. It will be noted that the clapper 142 is axially movable along the guide 146 from the position shown in FIG. 2 upwardly until latched as will be hereinafter described.

The clapper 142 thus serves as a valve element which may be seated on the water seat ring 140. A rubber disc element 150 is located in the under surface of the clapper 142 for actual sealing engagement with the water seat ring 140.

A second seat ring152 of bronze construction is also positioned in the bottom of the body. 124 coaxial with the water seat ring 140 and of substantially greater diameter. The seat ring 152 defines at its uppermost margin a valve seat generally coplanar with the water valve seat provided on the water seat ring 140. The clapper 142 also serves as the valve element in this structure. A rubber diaphragm 154 is secured to the clapper 142 by a retaining ring 156 held on the under surface of the clapper 142 by any suitable means as, for example, screws 158. The diaphragm 154 is initially dimensioned to seat on the seat ring 152 and provides thereby a seal for the chamber 136. It will be noted that the effective diameter of the water valve portion of the clapper 142 is substantially less than the effective area of the valve portion sealing the chamber 136. In operation, therefore, the clapper may be maintained in the seated position of FIG. 2 by maintaining an air pressure in the chamber 136 equal to or less than the water pressure in the passage 138 tending to raise the clapper 142 as will be hereinafter described.

Positioned between the seat ring 152 and the central portion of the bottom of the body 124 carrying the water seat ring 140 is an annular passage 16% which is open to the atmosphere through a depending passage 162. In operation, passage 162 is connected to a drain 164 (shown in FIG. 4) whereby any water seepage at either valve seat ring 140 or ring 152 may be detected.

A supply of air under regulated pressure is provided to the chamber 136 through a passage 168 formed through a side wall of the chamber and into which the air pilot line 120 (shown in FIG. 4) may be fitted. The air filled pilot line 120 communicates the chamber 136 with both the regulated air supply piping 118 and with the normally closed heat actuated device 122. It will thus be noted that so long as the heat actuated device 122 remains closed the clapper 142 will be held in seated condition as shown in FIG. 2 providing the chamber 136 is supplied with air under sufficient pressure to dominate the water pressure in passage 138. In practice it has been found that because of the substantial area differential between the water seat 140 and chamber seat 152 the effective air pressure required in chamber 136 may be substantially less than the water pressure in the passage 138.

In order to insure that the clapper 1422, once released, will remain in open condition until manually reset, a swingable hook or latch member 17 0 is pivotally supported in the cover portion 126 by a pivot pin 172. A depending annular hook ring 174 is fitted to the uppermost portion of the stem 144 of the clapper 142 to cooperate with the swingable latch element 170. Thus, when the clapper 142 is released by the reduction of pressure within the chamber 136 the rush of water through passage 138 throws the clapper 142 upwardly along the guide 146. Simultaneously the annular ring 174 deflects the latch element 170 until the ring 174 overrides and locks in a latching cavity 176 formed in the latch element 170 thereby retaining the clapper 142 in raised, unseated condition until manually reset by disengagement of the latch.

Water in the air pilot line 120 is undersirable. To prevent this from happening, a check valve 178 i positioned in the air pilot line 120 between the connection thereof with air supply line 118 and valve 116. Check valve 178' is of conventional design and will permit sufiicient passage of air in either direction for the purposes required but is promptly closed by encountering a flow of water issuing from valve 116. In practice a conventional check valve having a swinging clapper is employed for this purpose but is installed upside down in line 120 so that the clapper thereof falls open toward the valve 116 due to the force of gravity. Air may thus be passed through check valve 178 in either direction, but when a flow of water occurs the force of the water impinging against the clapper of check valve 178 is sufficient to close check valve 178 at once and thereby prevent the water from flowing into line 120.

The operation of the secondary valve 116 is therefore as follows:

The valve 116 is initially assembled with the clap-per thereof in seated condition as shown in FIG. 2. A quantity of priming water is placed in chamber 136 to insure seating of clapper 142. The priming water may be admitted to chamber 136 through a passage 166 formed through a side wall thereof. Passage 166 may also be fitted with a small valve (not shown) to permit checking of the priming water level if desired. Air pressure is then introduced into the chamber 136 within valve 116 through the regulated supply piping 118 and air pilot line 120 filling chamber 136.

The main control valve 10 is then set up as above described thereby filling pilot line 18 and passage 138 in valve 116 with water in communication with the pressure chamber in the main control valve. Upon the occurrence of fire conditions heat actuated device 122 opens thereby reducing the air pressure in chamber 136. When the air pressure has decreased sufiiciently, clapper 142 is thrown upwardly due to the water pressure in passage 138 and latched in open condition by means of latch 170. The 7 system then operates exactly as the system of FIG. 3 wherein the pilot line 18 is water filled and is in communication with sprinkler head 20. As before, pressure in the pressure chamber of control valve 10 is reduced more quickly than it can be supplied through the restricted orifice 108 thereby destroying the differential advantage of the main control valve elements and permitting the rapid opening of the main control valve.

It will thus be observed that an automatic fire control system of the deluge valve type is provided including a main control valve operating on a differential in seating pressure forces between a valve element closing the main water supply and a valve element normally maintained closed through a supervisory pressure in a pilot line obtained from the main water supply upstream of the main control valve. The pilot line is connected to a suitable heat actuated device which opens the pilot line upon the occurrence of a fire thereby destroying the pressure force differential between the valves within the control valve and permitting the opening of the main fire extinguishing water supply. Additionally, the system may incorporate a secondary control or actuating valve whereby the pilot line may be filled with air under pressure which is released upon operation of the heat actuated device, the secondary valve then venting the main control valve to effect its operation.

It will also particularly be noted that an'extremely quick acting deluge valve system is thusly provided having a minimum of moving parts and including a main control valve having a minimum friction loss due to withdrawal of the operative water valve element completely from the water passage upon operation- It should also be noted that the main control valve of the system may be situated with the principal water passage therethrough in either vertical or horizontal position as may be desired.

It should also be noted that both the main control valve and the secondary control valve of the system may be easily opened for inspection and resetting without requiring the disconnection of any piping whatsoever and in both cases exposing the valve elements and valve seats involved for easy inspection and cleaning. 7

It should also be noted that the structure of my invention is suitable for use in a so-called pre-action sprinkler system which is also an empty pipe system but wherein the sprinkler heads are normally closed instead of being normally open as in a conventional deluge system.

While many changes and modifications in the structure of my invention may be accomplished such as the substitution of alternative fire extinguishing fluids and alternative gases and liquids in the pilot line or lines of the installation it is my intention to claim all changes and modifications of the invention within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an automatic deluge sprinkler system, a valve including, in combination,

a valve body having a side wall defining a substantially straight fluid passage between an inlet and an outlet, a first valve seat and a first valve member cooperable therewith against inlet pressure to close the passage, an opening in the side wall on the outlet side of the first valve seat, and a second valve seat and a second valve member cooperable therewith to close the opening without closing the passage,

means to connect a source of fluid under pressure to the inlet,

means to connect normally open discharge means to the outlet,

a cover attachable to the valve body to define a cham ber external to the passage and communicating with it through the second valve seat,

an arm supported on the valve body, attached to the first and second valve members and pivotal between a first position closing the valve seats and a second position within the chamber opening the valve seats,

a first fluid connection between the inlet and the chamber including a passage in the valve body between surfaces thereof respectively inside and outside the chamber, said connection being external to the passage, and

a second fluid connection having a control operable to discharge fluid from the chamber, the first fluid connection providing a substantially greater restriction to flow than the second,

the valve members being so related as to position and area that fluid pressure thereon restrains the arm in the first position when the chamber and inlet pressures are substantially equal, but forces the arm to the second position upon operation of said control and consequent reduction of pressure within the chamber.

2. In an automatic deluge sprinkler system, a valve including, in combination,

means to connect normally open discharge means to the outlet,

a cover attachable to the valve body to define a chamber external to the passage and communicating with it through the second valve seat,

an arcuate arm supported on the valve body, attached to the first and second valve members and pivotal between a first position closing the valve seats and a second position within the chamber opening the valve seats, said body having a bushing formed on its exterior within said chamber with a hinge pin rotatably received in said bushing and extending axially therefrom and said arcuate arm having an integral yoke member with a pair of diverging legs each having an opening for pivotally receiving said hinge pin,

a first fluid connection between the inlet and the chamber including a passage in the valve body between surfaces thereof respectively inside and outside the chamber, said connection being external to the pass- :age, and

a second fluid connection having a control operable to discharge fluid from the chamber, the first fluid connection providing a substantially greater restriction to flow than the second,

the valve members being so related as to position and area that fluid pressure thereon restrains the arm in the first position when the chamber and inlet pressures are substantially equal, but forces the arm to the second position upon operation of said control and consequent reduction of pressure Within the chamber.

3. The combination according to claim 2 with means for mechanically latching said arcuate arm in said second position including a latch element pivotally mounted thereon and having first and second end portions, said second end portion having a hook element, means on the interior of the cover for engaging the first end portion to prevent movement of said arcuate arm from the second toward the first position only, and hook engaging means on said interior of the cover to engage the hook element to retain said arcuate arm in said second position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 740,467 10/ 1903 Rice 169-21 1,502,041 7/ 1924 Loepsinger 169-22 1,900,632 3/ 1933 Boardman 169-20 2,485,091 10/ 1949 Freeman 169-20 2,591,959 4/ 1952 McRae 16920 FOREIGN PATENTS 19,111 7/ 1911 Great Britain.

M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

V. C, WILKS, Assistant Examiner. 

2. IN AN AUTOMATIC DELUGE SPRINKLER SYSTEM, A VALVE INCLUDING, IN COMBINATION, A VALVE BODY HAVING A SIDE WALL DEFINING A SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT FLUID PASSAGE BETWEEN AN INLET AND AN OUTLET, A FIRST VALVE SEAT AND A FIRST VALVE MEMBER COOPERABLE THEREWITH AGAINST INLET PRESSURE TO CLOSE THE PASSAGE, AN OPENING IN THE SIDE WALL ON THE OUTLET SIDE OF THE FIRST VALVE SEAT, AND A SECOND VALVE SEAT AND A SECOND VALVE MEMBER COOPERABLE THEREWITH TO CLOSE THE OPENING WITHOUT CLOSING THE PASSAGE, MEANS TO CONNECT A SOURCE OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE TO THE INLET, MEANS TO CONNECT NORMALLY OPEN DISCHARGE MEANS TO THE OUTLET, A COVER ATTACHABLE TO THE VALVE BODY TO DEFINE A CHAMBER EXTERNAL TO THE PASSAGE AND COMMUNICATING WITH IT THROUGH THE SECOND VALVE SEAT, AN ARCUATE ARM SUPPORTED ON THE VALVE BODY, ATTACHED TO THE FIRST AND SECOND VALVE MEMBERS AND PIVOTAL BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION CLOSING THE VALVE SEATS AND A SECOND POSITION WITHIN THE CHAMBER OPENING THE VALVE SEATS, SAID BODY HAVING A BUSHING FORMED ON ITS EXTERIOR WITHIN SAID CHAMBER WITH A HINGE PIN ROTATABLY RECEIVED IN SAID BUSHING AND EXTENDING AXIALLY THEREFROM AND SAID ARCUATE ARM HAVING AN INTEGRAL YOKE MEMBER WITH A PAIR OF DIVERGING LEGS EACH HAVING AN OPENING FOR PIVOTALLY RECEIVING SAID HINGE PIN, A FIRST FLUID CONNECTION BETWEEN THE INLET AND THE CHAMBER INCLUDING A PASSAGE IN THE VALVE BODY BETWEEN SURFACES THEREOF RESPECTIVELY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CHAMBER, SAID CONNECTION BEING EXTERNAL TO THE PASSAGE, AND A SECOND FLUID CONNECTION HAVING A CONTROL OPERABLE TO DISCHARGE FLUID FROM THE CHAMBER, THE FIRST FLUID CONNECTION PROVIDING A SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER RESTRICTION TO FLOW THAN THE SECOND, THE VALVE MEMBERS BEING SO RELATED AS TO POSITION AND AREA THAT FLUID PRESSURE THEREON RESTRAINS THE ARM IN THE FIRST POSITION WHEN THE CHAMBER AND INLET PRESSURES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL, BUT FORCES THE ARM TO THE SECOND POSITION UPON OPERATION OF SAID CONTROL AND CONSEQUENT REDUCTION OF PRESSURE WITHIN THE CHAMBER. 